This 1,116-acre state forest is located between NYS Route 8 and Delaware County Route 20. The forest is comprised of both plantations and natural stands in various stages of succession. This variation in forest type and age should provide good hunting opportunities for most game species. Opportunities to hike, fish, camp and paddle also exist on Beals Pond State Forest.

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. The Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) traverses this state forest. Access to the trail is best from Beals Pond Road with a small parking lot and informational kiosk. Getter Hill Road also provides access to the FLT but with fewer parking opportunities. There is a lean-to on the northern portion of the state forest. More information on the FLT. (leaves DEC site)

General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. A lean-to is located on the northern portion of this state forest.

At large primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. Beals Pond provides some paddling opportunities. Please see the Fishing section, below, for more information.

General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations. Beals Pond State Forest provides access to Beals Pond, a 14 acre waterbody on the southern portion of the area. The pond contained Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead and Golden Shiner at the last census. The pond would be easily accessed with a kayak or canoe from the access trail east of Beals Pond Road near NYS Route 8. The southern half of this pond is surrounded by private property, public access is from the north end.

Beals Pond State Forest is best accessed from Beals Pond Road from either NYS Route 8 or Delaware County Route 20. There is limited access from Getter Hill Road at NYS Route 206. Beals Pond Road is approximately 3 miles south of Masonville or 11.6 miles north of Deposit on the west side of NYS Route 8). Access is limited to this state forest in winter because these roads are only seasonally maintained (April 1-November 1).